Walking with Maurice

Finding a soul-mate

Hanne finds a soul-mate on one of her favourite walks in Wales.

"I could never really understand why my dad wanted me and my sisters to walk up a mountain, only to come back the same way. I would be thinking about each step I was taking, knowing it would be longer and longer to come back. But as I turned 15, I found my perfect walk... and more importantly I found a soul-mate on the way.

On one of our first walks through Granner Woods, we decided to carve an 'H' for Hanne into one of the trees, so that even when I was back in Norway, I would still be with him on his daily walk.

For ten years now, Maurice and I have walked this circle together. When we enter Granner Woods we learn something new about life and each other. We take time to walk slowly. This is where we share our thoughts and values and find out how similar we are.

Maurice is not just my special friend; he is also my granddad.

I admire my granddad. I admire his knowledge; the way he looks at life and the love he shares with my grandma. I love the way he cries when he is sad and when he's happy. I feel so incredibly lucky to have a man like Maurice in my life.

One day, I know that my grandad will no longer be walking with me... the thought makes me sad. But then, I find myself thinking of how he touches so many people in his life, with his gentle and wonderful way of being. It comforts me to know that my granddad, my dad and I, all believe that when we die, our spirits live on through memories. What we have shared will always be with me.

I have made a promise to my granddad that in the future, when I have children, we will come back to Granner Woods... and I'll tell them that when I walked with Maurice... we never took the same step twice."

End slide - For my Grandma and Granddad.

Hanne Jones

Please tell us a little about yourself.I was born in Norway with a British father. Later I spent five years in Cardiff where I worked and studied at Cardiff University. I really enjoyed the Welsh way of living and maybe one day I will live there again. In the mean time I am happy in Norway. I live in a city which is surrounded by seven mountains and plenty of rain. I work full time in the eldest building in Bergen (the city), St. Mary's church and do voluntary work with people in difficult life situations and find this all so inspiring to my life. I believe in being honest and creating your own chances.

What's your story about?My story is about Maurice, my friend and grandfather. And how the walks we go on gives us a chance to learn something new about life and each other. Maurice and I are in many ways similar, even tough a great age difference and different nationality I feel a strong connection with my grandfather and the Welsh side of my family.

Why did you choose to tell this particular story?I admire Maurice for the way he treats other people and his great wisdom in life. That's why I have made this little story to show him and others how lucky I feel to have him in my life.

What did you find most rewarding about the workshop?To be able to be both creative and technical at one time! Being able to tell a story in such an honest way and finding out that with fantastic guidance from the Capture Wales team I could actually make my own digital story about something so important to me!

Your comments

"I loved your story it was emotionally powerful and brought back a lot of memories I had with my grandfather." Deana, Canada.

"A beautiful and touching story about the circle of life. A deep friendship and wisdom expressed by you, Hanne. It gives me hope of how life continues. Thank you Maurice and Hanne. " Kari, Bergen, Norway.

"This story brings tears to my eyes. Wonderful work and a lesson for us all." Suzanne, Monmouth, Wales

"In a few words, this was quite moving and touched us deeply. We feel that Hanne, for a young person to express her understanding of someone like her granddad, Maurice, and to have listened to his wisdom is refreshing." Joyce Palmer, England.

"What a beautiful story Hanne - I so enjoyed it. Both Maurice and you are gifted spiritual people. As I read your story I could feel such a strong upsurge of love within. Thank you." Pauline Thomas, Kent.